To start us off here, Ms. Anton. What is your number one goal to accomplish as a mayor if elected?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:00:25 PM

To lead an open and transparent city government, always listening, always thinking about taxpayers first.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:01:14 PM

Thank you, Ms. Anton. Now on to the issue that has been on the minds of many Vancouverites lately – the Occupy Vancouver encampment at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Ryan here has this question.

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:01:48 PM

what would you do with the tent city?

by ryan11/14/2011 9:01:52 PM

It needs to come down, professional staff at city can do that, but they need the support of the Mayor. I will provide that support and leadership, and will get the encampment down. People are fine, tents are not.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:02:59 PM

What do you plan to do if the court injunction to remove Occupy Vancouver fails?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:03:33 PM

And you are elected mayor of course.

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:03:47 PM

We didn't need the injunction - could just enforce existing city bylaws. Tents shd not have gone up in 1st place. Once up, shd have quickly come down. Gets more and more difficult. However I don't anticipate that court will refuse injunction.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:05:10 PM

And I will be elected Mayor!

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:05:29 PM

Thank you. Scotty has the following question:

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:05:46 PM

What are your top three things that you feel require improvement in this fair city?

by Scotty11/14/2011 9:05:48 PM

Better transportation - will build streetcar and ensure Broadway Line is next rapid transit. Sports and rec infrastructure is old and neglected - will have program to rebuild over next decade or so. Cultural infrastructure funding to provide for our many cultural institutions. NPA plan will do all three.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:08:13 PM

Those are top three infrastructure areas.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:09:22 PM

This question was posed to mayor Gregor Robertson yesterday and we want to hear your answer as well.

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:09:35 PM

Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Vancouver. What will you do to help make the city more affordable for average working people?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:09:38 PM

Affordability of housing is top priority for NPA and for citizens.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:09:50 PM

What will be your action plan on that?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:10:52 PM

NPA plan: More housing for more people. Market based solutions rather than putting taxpayers $$ into subsidies. Will make it easier and more predictable to build housing, and allow supply where easiest to build - eg along Cambie corridor, Oakridge.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:11:29 PM

Social housing: Previous NPA council had 3800 units built or ready to go in 2008. No new housing under this council - only shelters.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:12:22 PM

Speaking of Vancouver neighbourhoods, what direction do you see the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood heading in?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:12:43 PM

Current mayor changed city goal to ending "street" homelessness. NPA goal has always been to build homes for people not shelters. A shelter is a mat on the floor with many others, and is not a home.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:13:37 PM

Social housing is needed around the city. Would like to have DTES more of a mixed neighbourhood, with amenities and family housing.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:14:48 PM

Thank you. Tom here is wondering what your position is on the following.

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:15:14 PM

Do you think in an era of dwindling paychecks that another tax on petroleum to pay for a suburban train line is effective? Would you consider no tax and a less expensive option.. like an LRT?

by Tom Knapp edited by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:15:17 PM

Limited taxpayer housing $$ need to be focused on the most vulnerable, which is why I don't support subsidizing rental housing.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:15:37 PM

Hi Tom: The Evergreen Line has to be built and the Mayors council agreed to the gas tax, so I am not going to second guess that one.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:16:46 PM

But I do not support any additional property tax for the Evergreen line / rapid transit.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:17:10 PM

Continuing on the topic of transportation, Russell is asking on Facebook: “Will you commit to immediately scrapping the Dunsmuir and Hornby bike lanes and restoring traffic flow in downtown?”

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:17:42 PM

Nor do I support a container tax, which wd kill jobs here in the Port of Vancouver, and seriously damage our economy. It shd be taken off table, but current mayor does not support that.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:18:00 PM

Hi Russell: Will do independent review of the DT bike lanes. NPA has 400 km of bike lanes in city and never a problem. GR puts in 2 DT bike lanes and sets up anger between cyclists and others. Need to calm that all down, fix the problems, take out pieces which can't be fixed. It is a trial, after all.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:19:31 PM

But would you terminate this "trial" if elected?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:20:26 PM

Sorry lost you for a moment

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:21:46 PM

Will do independent study. Fix the problems. Terminate where can't be fixed.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:22:37 PM

Thank you.

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:22:48 PM

Do you support removing the viaducts in downtown Vancouver, and how do you see the area being developed?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:22:58 PM

We need bike lanes in city and the program of safe lanes around the city to be continued.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:23:16 PM

Viaducts are good infrastructure, have been there 100 years in one form or another. Many people rely on them, so no need to take down at the moment. Wd need to be a good transportation alternative.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:24:18 PM

One last question about transportation. What makes you think that a street car in downtown Vancouver is feasible?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:24:52 PM

Streetcar: Property owned by city, so that investment is already made. Will find private partner and senior govt funding to put the package together. Not on property taxes.

by suzanne_anton11/14/2011 9:26:19 PM

On a different note. There is some controversy surrounding your campaign today after two Langley families complained that you used their daughters’ faces on one your campaign brochures without their consent. Was there an oversight?

by Yuliya Talmazan11/14/2011 9:27:10 PM

NPA is the team who understands how to get projects done. We supported Olympics, Canada Line, stadium. Current mayor did not, and only has solution of using taxpayer $$. We have partnerships solution.